Hidden grave may hold clues to missing Mexican youths

By CNNMexico

Updated 1640 GMT (0040 HKT) August 23, 2013

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – What happened to 12 young people who were forced at gunpoint into a van in Mexico City's popular Zona Rosa entertainment district on May 26? The mystery has gripped nation. Penelope Ramirez is a cousin of Jerzy Ortiz Ponce, who is one of the 12 missing people. She holds a sign with his picture during a gathering of family members in the Tepito area of Mexico City on May 31.

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Maria Teresa Ramos, right, the grandmother of Jerzy Ortiz Ponce, is consoled by a neighbor in Mexico City on May 31.

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Family members of the 12 missing hold signs on May 31 with the pictures on them and phrases such as "They have not been seen since Saturday at Zona Rosa in Heaven."

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Family members of Jerzy Ortiz Ponce embrace one another while holding signs for the missing on May 31 in Mexico City.

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Relatives of the 12 missing youth protest in front of the general attorney's office in Mexico City on May 31.

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Photos:Families of missing haunted by mystery

Families of missing haunted by mystery – Relatives speak to media in front of the general attorney's office in Mexico City on May 31.

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Story highlights

Authorities have found a clandestine mass grave near Mexico City

A lawyer believes the bodies could be linked to a bar disappearance

12 youths were disappeared from a Mexico City bar in May

Officials say it could take days to identify the bodies

A clandestine mass grave found near Mexico City may hold the answer to what befell 12 youths who were kidnapped from a bar in the capital back in May.

Federal investigators swarmed a ranch east of Mexico City on Thursday, where they confirmed that at least seven bodies had been found, and that two arrests were made near the location.

A lawyer representing the families of five of the missing, however, told CNNMexico that he received a call from a source who said the bodies of the youths may be found there. The lawyer did not reveal his source.

The apparent kidnapping of the 12 youths from an after-hours club called Heavens shocked residents of Mexico City, who for the most part have been spared from the violence seen in other areas.

The lawyer, Ricardo Martinez, said his source told him there were 13 bodies found at the ranch, possibly in two mass graves, one that held the remains of the males, and the other, the females.

Mexico City's attorney general on Thursday said there was one grave so far that was being investigated.